Concept

Domain controller

A domain controller (DC) is a server that responds to security authentication requests within a computer network domain. It is a network server that is responsible for allowing host access to domain resources. It authenticates users, stores user account information and enforces security policy for a domain. It is most commonly implemented in Microsoft Windows environments (see Domain controller (Windows)), where it is the centerpiece of the Windows Active Directory service. However, non-Windows domain controllers can be established via identity management software such as Samba and Red Hat FreeIPA. The software and operating system used to run a domain controller usually consists of several key components shared across platforms. This includes the operating system (usually Windows Server or Linux), an LDAP service (Red Hat Directory Server, etc.), a network time service (ntpd, chrony, etc.), and a computer network authentication protocol (usually Kerberos). Other components, such as a public key infrastructure (Active Directory Certificate Services, DogTag, OpenSSL) service and Domain Name System (Windows DNS or BIND) may also be included on the same server or on another domain-joined server. Domain controllers are typically deployed as a cluster to ensure high-availability and maximize reliability. In a Windows environment, one domain controller serves as the Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and all other servers promoted to domain controller status in the domain server as a Backup Domain Controller (BDC). In Unix-based environments, one machine serves as the master domain controller and others serve as replica domain controllers, periodically replicating database information from the main domain controller and storing it in a read-only format.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.